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Wondering around downtown, still in search of a job but also just a day to herself, Melody hummed to herself as she walked. So wrapped up in Senshi going-ons lately, she hadn't taken much time for herself. it was either job searching or Senshi things and she could feel herself starting to wear down a little.

It was also a good day to maybe get a late wedding gift for Aurora and Azzo.

Not that she knew what to get them, anyway, but it wouldn't hurt to look and see what she could find. At least, that was her plan until she saw a familiar mop of red-brown hair that she'd know anywhere. It was hard not to when you grew up with said mop of hair. Heels clacked against the sidewalk as she hurried to catch up to the person, denim swishing as a side effect.

"Ignacio!"

Her smile grew as she neared, steps slowing until she was beside him. It was great to see him, she couldn't stop from thinking, giving him a sisterly go over to see if he was doing well. He seemed to be doing a lot better then when she'd left for college.

Admittedly she probably should have searched him out sooner upon her return, but coming back into her senshi duties had taken up so much time.

"Hey," she replied, though she felt it had come out a little lamely. "It's been awhile. How are you doing?"

Had he been doing okay while she was gone?

She... wasn't sure how she should act around him, to be honest? Clearly she still thought well of him, if her enthusiasm of seeing him on the streets was anything to go by. She could still remember him as an out of sort mess that needed her care.

One that she'd chosen to leave behind so she could go off to college and get away from the stress of being some magical girl in a war she'd wanted no part in.

Funny how that had worked out for her.

"I'm glad to hear that. You look amazing!"

He was also looking at cupcakes... Hm. Grabbing his hand on instinct, she moved them both for the door of the cupcake place.

"I'm doing really well myself. I guess going off to college for a couple of years was exactly what I needed." She'd seemed to grow up a little too while she was gone, if the more modern and relaxed style of dress she wore now was any indication. "Now if I could just find a job and maybe move out of my house, I think I'd be doing better."

She'd actually toned a bit herself, not that one could see it with the heavy hooded jacket she wore to keep herself warm from the cold. Not to mention she was wearing a long sleeved shirt underneath.

But he had filled out nicely and it made her feel glad to know that his life was getting on track.

"I have my Associates," she replied in regards to him asking about her degree. "I was going to major in music like I'd always planned on but..." But what? She couldn't just tell him that she was a Sailor Senshi after all, and that she'd come to the conclusion that being a Sailor Senshi had been more important then her dream job.

"Ah, but something else came up. Became more important." Close enough. As the bell tinkled, alerting the shop staff to their entrance, brown eyes turned to her brother.

"Mm, I really hope so. Mama's been rather clingy again and it's starting to drive me up a wall. She keeps saying I don't need to get a job and can just live at home, or she's offered to let me work as her secretary? But ugh, I don't think I can work for her."

In all honesty she hadn't expected him to focus so intently on the fact she had dropped her major, though she couldn't say she was surprised. He'd always been the cheerful cheerleader of sorts in her crusade to become a famous cellist. Sorry, Ignacio, she hadn't meant to break your brain with that information.

"It's a secret," she replied automatically, brain not even bothering to try and come up with some lame reason. She could have used the same excuse she'd given her parents but in all honesty she didn't even remember said excuse anymore.

That and she'd always had a hard time lying to Ignacio.

"Or, at least not something I can talk about in public." This was said a little softer, not wanting to risk drawing attention to them more from the person behind the counter.

"So! Know what you want for cupcakes? I'm buying so get whatever you want."

Standing straight, she smiled at the worker and pointed out the two he wanted plus two strawberry ones for herself. One day she'd find a place that had sakura flavored things to try. Cherry blossoms were taking over her life, how funny was that.

As the lady got their cupcakes, she moved to grab her wallet so she could pay.

"In all honesty, I don't think I've ever been better. Time away from home and this city gave me the clarity I needed to realize there was something more important in my life. That destiny has something special in line for me and that I really just need to embrace it. Instead of run from it like I had."

The look and smile on her face was fond as she talked, handing over her card as the cupcakes were set down on the counter. Something had definitely changed.

"I do say so~" she quipped, sticking her tongue out at him playfully.

It was definitely not a disease because she would have told him. And if she hadn't she knew her mom would have told his mom who might have told him and look he really would have known by now.

But she was trying to be at peace with her life, if it was any consolation.

And maybe it wasn't as cool as being a spy but it was definitely interesting and dangerous, that had to count for something, right? She really kind of wanted to tell him, in all honesty. She'd trusted him implicitly for most of her life, had told him a lot of things she wouldn't normally tell others...

This definitely counted on that list.

And that really just kind of cinched it. If she could manage, some how, she was going to be utterly honest with him.

Taking her card back and grabbing her own cupcakes, she glanced around. It wasn't too busy, sitting in would be nice.

"Unless you have more you want to look at, we can sit while we eat."

"So does that mean I'll be able to find you better?" she teased, moving to join him at the table. This... felt good, talking to him like old times. She could almost pretend that everything had remained as it had, she'd just disappeared to go and live her life a bit.

There was so much she wished she could say, so many apologies she wished she could make. Would it really do either of them any good? Maybe it was best to just stay in the present.

Unwrapping one of her on cupcakes, she couldn't help but to sort of lose herself in thought. At least until she bit into her own cupcake.

"Oh, they are!" She hadn't doubted they would be, but it was nice to know just how good they were.

"So. I was wondering, maybe we could try and have a day every once in awhile to just hang out? Kind of like we used to?" She wouldn't blame him if he said no.